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Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Custom Calibrated Foam Darts - Conversion Guide!

Most modders naturally find stock Nerf foam darts inaccurate and inconsistent. They are basically not designed with the proper weight balance required for straight and consistent dart flight when used in blasters that have been modified for more power.

To improve accuracy and range, there many methods to custom make foam darts, either from foam backer rod (FBR) or converting existing foam darts into customized versions.

The main feature in most customized foam darts is a heavier tip, this additional weight in front of the foam dart helps increase performance . But having too much or too little tip weight can also have adverse effects too, it all depends on the power of the blasters they are used in. Thats where proper calibration comes in.

In this guide, i will cover one of the conversion and calibration methods that has been popular with modders at the NerfSG forum. This method is based of the "Sabot" design by SixShot.

It is one of the more effective techniques of adding more weight to the foam dart tip, yet allowing calibration for different blaster power and still ensuring that all the materials used are of a safe nature (ie. no metal or hard plastic/resin parts).

Note that the outer diameter (OD) and length of foam darts that users choose will determine the specific dimensions of breeches and barrels that are suitable for them.

For example, wider OD foam darts that fit well into 9/16" brass barrels will be too tight for 17/32" brass barrels, which would cause chambering issues. Whereas narrower OD foam darts that fit well into 17/32" brass barrels will be too loose in 9/16" brass barrels, resulting in air leaks around the foam dart as its fired, which reduces power and range. So its all a matter of testing to find the right combination.

For my own custom calibrated foam darts, i prefer to use either 3rd-party SDL brand foam darts or custom FBR which have slightly wider foam bodies. Their "fatter" OD creates a much better air seal when chambered in both normal stock breeches and brass breeches which use 9/16" brass barrels, offering optimum overall performance in those particular barrel and breech dimensions.

The choice of foam dart type and brand is up to the user's preference, so there is no "best" foam dart, just the most suitable and customized for the user's application.

Here is an example of how Custom Calibrated Foam Darts can be made...

Step 1: Remove the original tips from the foam darts.

Get soft eraser stick refills (commonly found at most stores) and cut them into the desired lengths.

In this example, i cut them into 4 different lengths (5mm, 10mm, 15mm and 20mm) to create 4 different calibrated foam darts with varying tip weights.

The longer the eraser stick refill, the heavier the tip weight. So its up to users to find the best length (and consequently weight) combination to suit their particular modded blasters .

I would recommend making a "calibration" set as shown below for initial testing.




Step 2: Slot the cut lengths of eraser stick refills into the foam dart tips.

Use general-purpose glue or "contact cement" glue to permanently attach them into the foam darts. Make sure the glue is completely dry and the dart tips are secure before firing the foam darts.

In the photo below, the numbers on the tips indicate the eraser stick refill lengths used within each foam dart, these are an example of a "calibration" set used for testing the suitable tip weights for various modded blasters.

It is common for users to have seperate batches of different tip weighted foam darts allocated to each of their different modified blasters. Do remember to indicate the tip weights somewhere on the foam darts, so they don't get mixed up.




Step 3: Safety and further customization.

As custom calibrated foam darts are commonly used in more powerful modified blasters, the impact of hits will naturally be harder and the chances of welts or bruises occurring would also be higher, therefore it is important to cushion the impact of the dart tips.

To reduce the foam dart impact during Nerf games (while still maintaining accuracy and range), i attach 12mm diameter soft foam padding to the tips of all my customized foam darts. These soft foam padded tips help to prevent welts or bruises occurring even if accidentally fired at close range.

The soft foam padding also keeps the dart tips intact over multiple shots, reducing the heavy wear and tear that usually occurs with constant Nerf game usage.

In addition, i also wrap a layer of tape just behind the tip of each customized foam dart, this helps to reinforce the tip as well as to slightly narrow the front section to aid in smoother dart chambering within modified breeches.



This is just one example, there are many other methods to customize your foam darts, try them out and find the most suitable techniques for your usage... and make sure you have the safety aspect in mind too!

Enjoy better calibrated accuracy and range from your modified blasters! :)

98 comments:

  1. Very informative; I had been making several BB/Slingshot weighted, hot glued darts before deciding that they were too dangerous to use. Thanks for the tips!

    Question: when/if you make custom FBR darts, which method do you use to cut the lengths? I find that scissors and most knives to not perform very well/straight.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Josh,

    Thanks for the cool feedback!

    For accurate cutting of FBR, i simply use a small "ring" section of 9/16" brass tube and thread the FBR through it, pull the FBR to the dart length i want, then use the brass tube "ring" as a guide to cut a perfect foam dart. :)

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  3. I made a custom calibrated dart and the tip is cone shaped i shot myself with it and it feels like getting shot with a paintball gun! but it comes to good use when i face my enemies in a nerf war ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. USNerf,

    I'm assuming you didn't use soft padding for your foam dart tips?

    Please ensure the safety of other players by putting soft padding on the foam dart tips, it is NOT safe to use hard-tipped foam darts, especially when players or spectators forget to wear proper safety eyewear in Nerf games.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SG Nerf,

    Just wanted to say thanks for all your reviews and tips; you're one of the first places I go for pretty much anything NERF. I've actually been looking for a good dart mod because my post-mod Longshot is now way too powerful for a standard NERF dart, and this one looks perfect for me. I wanted to ask about the foam tips you used to protect your customized darts and the people you're shooting at. Is there a specific brand you recommend or some specific type of foam dot I should use?

    ReplyDelete
  6. MiamiFL1990 said

    The 12mm diameter soft foam pads i use in my custom calibrated foam darts are from a brand called "Volkmar-Fix", they can be found at most common hardware shops.

    If you can't find that particular brand of soft foam padding, you can try out other brands to see if they are also effective enough to reduce the impact of the dart hits.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sgnerf can this nerf dart be used in recon or longshot?because i see the paddings may jam it.and can they fit into the clips?can u make a video of u loading the calibrate dart into a clip and test firing it with a longshot or stampade???pls help

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  8. and what is the brand of the eraser and the size

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  9. nerf_penang,

    Yes, the customised foam darts in this guide can be fired from Recons or Longshots.

    The soft tip padding i use fit perfectly and will not interfere with the chambering action of those blasters.

    You can see an example of custom calibrated foam darts fired from my modified Nerf Stampede in this video:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCz5NCCntEg

    The eraser refills i use are from TOYO brand, i believe there is only one standard size for these refills.

    ReplyDelete
  10. nerf_penang,

    Yes, these customised foam darts are compatible with Nerf blasters that use the N-Strike clip system.

    ReplyDelete
  11. thx u are the best i learned alot of nerf form this blog THX~Sg Nerf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. can i do it with FBR????and what size of FBR should i use?(the best seal in the chamber) and do i need to make a hole in the middle of the FBR???where can i find FBR in malaysia?

    ReplyDelete
  13. nerf_penang,

    Yes, the same design principles can be applied to foam darts made with FBR too.

    For ideal barrel fit, get FBR which are 1/2" or 13mm OD. As FBR are usually made of solid body foam, you'll need to remove the dart posts/stalks in your Nerf blasters before bring able to chamber and fire them.

    Note that different brand FBR will have slightly different OD, even if they are labelled as the same spec.

    Check at the industrial material suppliers around your area. FBR is commonly used by building contractors as gap filling and insulation material for buildings.

    ReplyDelete
  14. what kind of calibrate do u thick i should make for my modded raider????i want the best range :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. nerf_penang,

    You just have to make a set of calibration darts with different tip weights and test with your modded blasters.

    Every modded blaster is different so it's all a matter of testing and finding the most ideal tip weight and foam combination for improved range and accuracy.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Does the brand of foam you use have a 'site? If not, what online-buyable foam do you recommend? What sort of brass should I use for a brass-breeching modification to get the best seal from these darts?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Markus,

    SDL doesn't seem to have a proper brand website, they are basically OEM/3rd party products.

    I've not ordered foam rods from online so i can't really advise on what is good, you'll just have to search online to find the ones with positive reviews.

    For my converted SDL darts, they fit nicely into 9/16" brass barrels with an ideal dart seal... but for other brands/types of foam darts you'll have to test them out with the various brass tube dimensions to get the best fit.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I know this question is a little out landish, but can any one tell me if it would be possible to get a 9' diameter ball made out of nerf material and if so...where??

    Its for a corporate event.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I'm in Australia, and have never seen these SDL darts anywhere, not even on eBay. How could I go about obtaining them?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Tom,

    You can try ordering from a shop in Singapore called Black Tactical, they should still have stock of SDL foam darts.

    Here is the link:

    http://black-tactical.com/store/weapon-accessories-foam-gun-parts-c-69_30/darts-velcro-tipped-30pcs-p-165

    ReplyDelete
  21. Nice. Would a dome of glue work as well? Like, just cut the eraser, stick it inside, then create a hot glue dome, like the stefans?

    Athanasios

    ReplyDelete
  22. Athanasios,

    For safety reasons, i DO NOT advise using hot glue domes as they are solid tips which tend to inflict bruises and welts, and can cause serious injury if they accidently hit a player or spectator's unprotected eye, especially if they happen to not be wearing proper protective eyewear.

    Putting soft padding at the tips helps to cushion the impacts and reduce the chances of injuries on players, it goes along with responsible gameplay precautions.

    Please always have safety in mind when customizing form darts.

    ReplyDelete
  23. SG Nerf,
    Does the dart fly further?

    ReplyDelete
  24. wafi,

    Yes, when these customized foam darts are properly calibrated to individual modded blasters, they fly further and are very accurate.

    ReplyDelete
  25. SG Nerf,
    Thanks!It did flew straight, but the range is shorter, did i did something wrong?Ive used it on my modified Alpha Trooper (AR removed)

    ReplyDelete
  26. wafi,

    Thats where the calibration of the tip weights and foam material come in... it all depends on the power and method of power delivery on your modded blasters.

    Are you using SDL foam darts for your calibrated sets?

    You have to test many different tip weight and foam material combinations to get the best balance of accuracy and range.

    For lower powered blasters (like your AR removed Alpha Trooper), you should try using lighter tip weights, as those blasters don't have enough power to propel heavier tip weighted foam darts as far (the heavier foam darts just drop earlier in flight).

    Calibrating foam darts can take some time to do, but its a necessary process to get the best performance out of them.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ok, thanks~ can I even do this mod on Suction tip SDL darts?

    ReplyDelete
  28. wafi,

    Yes, in fact the foam darts that are shown in the photos in my conversion guide were all SDL foam darts with suction tips originally. I simply plucked off the tips before doing the conversion process.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh, no wonder they were a clean cut, what i did was a mess

    ReplyDelete
  30. Is it possible to simply fill a Nerf streamliner tip with heavier material via the air hole in the tip? If so, what material would you suggest?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Erik,

    There are some modders who do that, but i would not recommend it as it would make the tip solid and that compromises safety.

    In addition, from my experience calibrating foam darts, streamline foam tend to have very inconsistent results even after calibration, especially when used in modded blasters.

    Somehow streamline foam is just not balanced, up until now i still can't get reliable accuracy out of them.

    Thats why i keep testing and using other types of foam instead (ie. SDL foam), which are much more consistent and accurate.

    Its all a matter of testing various types of foam that you can find and matching the weight balance combinations to find your ideal foam dart configurations.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Erik,

    Well, the SDL brand is actually a 3rd-party brand or what we call "knock-off" brand... so your chances of finding them would most probably be at the smaller independent toy stores or hobby shops.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Do you think there would be much of a price difference between making your own darts out of FBR and eraser sticks (and maybe the rubber tips) and buying a pack of streamlined darts?

    Also, have you successfully taken tips out of streamlined darts? It seems to me that their base is rather long for a Nerf dart.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Erik,

    In theory, making customized foam darts out of FBR should be cheaper (per foam dart) because FBR itself is relatively cheap when purchased in bulk coils. Final cost of each foam darts would depend on the additional materials used to make them though.

    But there is time and effort involved in custom making foam darts, so buying Streamline foam dart packs off the shelf is basically more convenient.

    Most modders custom make foam darts for the enhanced accuracy (rather than cost), 'cos one single accurate calibrated foam dart that can consistently hit an aimed target at range is definitely worth more in a Nerf game than a pack of Steamlines that all spin and swerve erratically in flight.

    Removing the tips out of Streamlines can be abit tricky, you'll just have to twist them out instead of pulling them out as that'll tend to tear the foam.

    Though as mentioned earlier, i don't spend time converting Streamlines 'cos they are still inconsistent even after calibration.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks for answering my questions.
    When you calibrate your darts, do you include in the calibration the rubber tips that you add on top of the eraser sections?

    ReplyDelete
  36. How about using stock Nerf suction cup darts (for lack of access to 3rd party brand)?
    Do these darts or the Velcro Dart Tag darts have sufficient balance?

    ReplyDelete
  37. Erik,

    Yes, the soft tips are also attached on all the foam darts that i use for calibration, the additional weight of the soft tips (even if they're very light) has to be included for more accurate testing.

    Stock Nerf Micro (Suction Tip), Tagger or Sonic foam darts all use the same foam material as the Streamline foam darts so their performance after conversion is similar.

    If you don't have access to other foam dart materials, you can still use Nerf foam dart to convert, just calibrate it to the best you can.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Do you have any suggestions for finer tuning than you listed in your article?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Erik,

    Its all a matter of testing various types of foam material, foam dart lengths, tip weights etc. to find the right balance.

    Matching the foam darts to the barrel material is also part of the calibration process.

    There are many tip weight methods that modders use but i've found the rubber stick method to be useful because modders can adjust the tip weight by simply varying the length of the rubber sticks... rather than just dropping in a fixed tip weight which can't be adjusted.

    For every modded blaster i use, i usually test fire dozens of different foam materials and countless tip weight combinations until i get the most consistent accuracy from them.

    It definitely takes time and effort, but having a calibrated foam dart that can consistently hit a basketball sized target at 70ft is worth more than having lots of unbalanced foam darts that can't even hit anything reliably at 30ft. :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. This blog you have really is a cool site. What type of modded gun and darts were you using to hit the basketball sized target consistently at 70 feet? That's amazing, I want that kind of power!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Erik,

    I usually do my foam dart testing and calibration using Brass Breeched Longshots, they achieve 90-100ft ranges easily so are ideal for long range accuracy testing.

    ReplyDelete
  42. I don't know if this is the right place to put this, but while I was searching the web for ways to make custom darts I came upon an idea where a guy used a hairdryer and a pillowcase to straighten out FBR pieces. This seems like a great dart restoration tip for standard darts that have been bent or damaged. Just a handy piece of info for your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Erik,

    Yes, using a heating element (ie. hairdryer) to straighten foam backer rod (FBR) is a common method most modders use. This is due to the FBR being manufactured and stored in coils, which cause the curved shape.

    I heat all the FBR i use to straighten them too.

    I've tried using the same heating method to try restoring bent or damaged hollow foam darts but the results are mixed, it all depends on the extent of the damage. If the foam bodies have hidden tears or folded/dented sections then they can't be restored so easily (better to just toss them out). :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. I'm contemplating drilling a hole in solid FBR in order to build a custom dart. Do you have any suggestions as to how to do this in a way that keeps the dart balanced?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Erik,

    Well, you could use a power drill to simply drill a hole into the back of the FBR tube, but for consistency you'll probably need to use a drill press setup with a fixed holder to position the FBR section beforehand.

    Though unless you usually use the such foam darts in stock blasters (with the dart posts still intact), i've found that its better to just leave solid core FBR as it is, the solid core nature of FBR made foam darts make them very durable (compared to hollow foam darts) and can sometimes help in the weight balance during calibration.

    I guess you can try various methods and see which work well for you.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I know you don't really recommend the Streamline darts, but I have a TON of them and want to try to mod some before I just scrap them all and start making my own. Have you ever tried to add the weights to the darts WITHOUT taking the tips off? Is this even a valid option?

    ReplyDelete
  47. Josh Herman,

    Well, i have tried lots of different methods to convert and calibrate streamline foam darts with various tip weights, but they still tend to swerve or spiral in flight.

    I guess one of the causes is probably due to the original construction of the foam used in streamlines, they seem to be naturally unbalanced.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Josh Herman,

    One thing I've noticed in my streamline darts is that there is a rubber post going down from the tip rather far into the dart. That post keeps steamlines from going down all the way on posts such as those found in Nite Finders. CS-6 guns like the Longshot have shorter posts that allow for the filler in the streamline darts, but that filler means that it's unwise to try to shove pieces of eraser up into the dart without removing the tip. Filling the tips with heavy material would work, but it's not recommended on this blog for safety reasons (I suggested it myself). Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I just bought some BuzzBee suction darts and I noticed that they are shorter than Nerf darts. Does that make any difference in their performance in the gun?

    ReplyDelete
  50. Erik,

    Well, i've found that Buzz Bee foam darts seem to exhibit rather poor performance in Nerf blasters, its mostly due to the different density of the foam material and the different dart fit in most Nerf blaster bolts or barrels.

    I guess in theory, the shorter length also reduces abit of the foam dart "seal-time" in bolts or barrels, though maybe not that significantly to be noticeable.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Okay, thanks! I'll spend a few cents more on a pack of Nerf suction darts in exchange. :)

    ReplyDelete
  52. What do find is a good way to cut relatively smooth slices in the rubber sticks? A way that is acurate as far as length goes.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Erik,

    Use a mitre box to guide your measurements and cuts.

    ReplyDelete
  54. A mitre box? Like for a saw, right?

    ReplyDelete
  55. Erik,

    Yes, i use that to make straight guided cuts in all my hobby mods.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Say SG Nerf, you wouldn't know where to get foam backer rods, would you?

    ReplyDelete
  57. Liambremner,

    Sure, foam backer rods (FBR) are commonly found at hardware or building supply stores. Contractors use them to fill gaps in walls and structures.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I found 30 SDL darts for $5 USD + shipping (ships from the US) here:
    http://www.buy.com/prod/extra-foam-darts-refill-pack/q/sellerid/27718539/loc/20269/220960219.html

    They don't have "SDL" in the text name, but it's in the photo, which explains why you can't find them easily online.

    ReplyDelete
  59. SgNerf,

    What eraser length and weight did you use with your modded Stampede with 4x Trustfire 14500 batteries and the other air restriction mods listed on your Stampede mod page?

    ReplyDelete
  60. Neil,

    So far, i've found 10mm - 15mm eraser stick lengths to be a good tip weight for most modded Nerf blasters.

    Note that different brands of eraser sticks can have different density and weight too, so you'll have to test different lengths to find the most optimal weight balance for your particular modded blasters.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Of the various dart mods i've seen, this looks like the one i'd like to try, so i have one question:

    Although i can see the role of tape in the picture, it's hard to tell what type it might be. At first i thought looking at the darts that it was electrical tape, but when i see the size of that roll, it looks to be something else.

    Can you let us know what type of tape you use, or what you think works best?

    ReplyDelete
  62. Peter,

    In my photo example, i'm just using general-purpose duct tape. :)

    Other types of tape can also be used, just test and see which work well with your foam darts.

    ReplyDelete
  63. I've used electrical tape, but that tends to cause the darts to stick to each other, which is terrible when using an 18.5V Stampede. Do you know of any tape types that are particularly slick?

    ReplyDelete
  64. Luke,

    Perhaps you could try just using normal cellophane tape? Those are less likely to interfere with the chambering of the foam darts.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Heya SG,

    I have 2 questions about dart mods:

    I notice you've posted at least 2 different types of dart mods in your blogs, the one above, and the one involving hot glue tips, both topped with padding of course. For your modded Stampedes, which modded darts have you found to work best, as far as accuracy and distance? Also keep in mind my Stampede is modded exactly the way you outlined it in your blog (9kg spring, powered by 16.8 volts).

    Also, which tend to hurt the target the least? I know they're both using the same padding, but just wondering if one tends to hurt the target more than the other, because I'd obviously like to fire the least painful option around the office :)

    ReplyDelete
  66. Peter,

    For a modded Stampede with 9kg load spring, i find that lighter tip weights (ie. 5-10mm rubber stick length, 0.3-0.5 grams) tend to perform better. You'll need to adjust and test it depending on the foam and rubber stick types (there are differences in weights between brands).

    Both my foam dart conversion methods are pretty much the same, just that one uses some additional hot glue to create a more secure "cap" to hold in the rubber tip weight. In terms of impact, i didn't notice any significant difference, 'cos both use the same tip weight and soft tip padding. :)

    ReplyDelete
  67. SG Nerf,

    For a modded Recon wtih it's AR removed and padding added in the plunger, would stefans be a good idea to replace my streamline ammo?

    Thanx

    DSU

    ReplyDelete
  68. DSU,

    Well, just to clarify... "stefans" commonly refer to the short length foam darts made from foam backer rod (FBR) material with weighted tips.

    If you are referring to those, then they wouldn't be suitable for blasters with stock breeches (like your modded Recon) as they don't usually have a long enough dart length to provide a sufficient dart seal in the bolt. Stefans are more suitable for fully air tight barrel and breech setups. In addition, you will need to mod your N-Strike clips to use the short stefans too.

    On the other hand, if you are referring to normal length custom calibrated foam darts (as shown in my guide above), then those are suitable for your Recon.

    Note that you will have to use lighter weighted customized tips though, as modded Recons don't have enough power to propel heavier tipped foam darts properly.

    ReplyDelete
  69. SG Nerf,

    For weights, do you think Lego cylinder-shaped pieces can be suitable?

    Thanx

    DSU

    ReplyDelete
  70. DSU,

    I guess you could try those too, but do make sure that soft padding are attached to the tips securely to cushion the impacts.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Nerf sg,
    For a modded Recon wtih it's AR removed and spring replacment how much long should the earaser stick be? (sry for spelling error)

    ReplyDelete
  72. WhyRifle,

    An AR removed and spring replaced Recon is still on the lower end of the power scale (due to the inherent limitations of its small reverse plunger), so the lighter weight 5mm-10mm length rubber sticks should be suitable for the tip weights, you'll just have to test and see.

    ReplyDelete
  73. SG Nerf,

    I was wondering if this works w/ streamlines? I instantly thought about streamline darts when I saw this!

    ReplyDelete
  74. qazwsxedcrfvtgbyhnujmikolp,

    Well, the calibrations can also be done in streamline foam too, but streamlines somehow tend to still exhibit rather inconsistent results even after calibration, especially when used in modded blasters.

    I would advise to also test out other types of foam too, to get better consistency and accuracy.

    ReplyDelete
  75. How do these darts compare to Blue Foam custom darts?

    ReplyDelete
  76. Bednesti,

    SDL foam is wider in diameter compared to streamline foam, so it usually has an ideal air tight fit in 0.528" ID PETG or 9/16" brass barrels.

    As for blue foam (if you are referring to the ones from inform3r at OzNerf), the ones that i tested seem to be abit loose in those barrels... could be just the batch i tested, 'cos foam can sometimes vary quite abit between batches. You'll just have to try them out and see.

    ReplyDelete
  77. i was wondering, can you make these using taggers?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yoman2702,

      Yes, you can also use Tagger foam darts to make calibrated foam darts, just test and see if they work well for your requirements.

      Delete
  78. thanks for your speedy reply, also will these modded darts fit in a gun that has had its air restrictors intact

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yoman2702,

      If the foam you use are hollow (like Nerf foam darts) then they can be used in blasters with their dart posts intact (the plastic stalks usually positioned in front of the AR assembly).

      But if the foam you use are solid core, like foam backer rod (FBR) material, then you need to remove the dart post in the blaster in order to use those foam darts.

      Note that dart posts and ARs are often separate parts in a blaster, so you can remove dart posts but still leave the ARs intact (or vice versa).

      Delete
  79. Hi, I just have a simple question.
    How do you get your custom darts to fly just as far, if not further, than the stock foam darts???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      As mentioned in my guide, to get optimal ranges, you have to use the right tip weights to match the power of individual blasters.

      In general, less powerful blasters perform better with lighter tips, while more powerful blasters perform better with heavier tips.

      Every blaster is different so you have to calibrate and test various tip weights to find the best combination for each particular blaster. It's the fine tuning of the tip weight which makes the difference in performance.

      Delete
  80. Thanks! Yeah, I just modded one of my favorite blasters, so my custom darts weren't performing well. They were accurate, but they only went half the distance as they should have. BTW, I LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!! You guys helped me with so many mods, etc.!!! Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      Thanks for the nice feedback! Appreciate it. :)

      Delete
  81. In your brass breech stampede guide, you mention silicone tipped darts, what are you using for those?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angolondir,

      Those stefans (customized foam darts) i use are created from custom made silicone tips and foam.

      You can order the custom silicone tips and foam directly from inform3r at OzNerf forum (in Australia) or hanzo at the NerfSG forum (in Singapore). Just check with them to find out more.

      Note that there are a few varieties of the custom silicone tips with different weights. I also trim them to further calibrate and fine-tune the tip weights to my specific requirements too.

      Delete
    2. I live in the states, and so won't be able to afford that sort of shipping. What sort of tip would recommend in lieu of those for a brass breech stampede? I'm working on making both the switch to stefans or converted darts and to the bb, and am trying to get everything planned in advance.

      Delete
    3. Angolondir,

      You can check other foam dart or stefan making methods at the NerfHaven forum "Darts and Barrels" section:

      http://nerfhaven.com/forums/index.php?showforum=28

      One of the common methods is to use metal washers or weights as tip weight, then cover them with hot glue domes or felt tips.

      But nowadays most modders are steering towards making tips with non-metal content, for safety.

      Delete
  82. Dear SGNerf,

    Would it be possible to show us how to make your stefans? Mine keep melting and do not get a good airtight seal in my longshot. So, my BBC's tend not to be very good weights... It would be very kind of you if this was possible.

    Thank you for your time,
    Bryson O'Neill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. bryson oneill,

      The stefans that i currently use are made from custom silicone tips and customized foam tubes/rods, its basically just attaching and gluing the tips directly to the foam.

      You can order those custom tip and foam materials from inform3r at the OzNerf forum or hanzo at the NerfSG forum.

      If your foam doesn't have a good seal in your modded blaster barrels or you don't have suitable tip weights, just get the custom ones from the abovementioned modders. Their materials are tried and tested and work well.

      Delete
  83. sgnerf may i know where do you get your FBR from in singapore?? i cant find anywhere

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      Not sure they are still available nowadays (it was around 3 years ago that i did this guide).

      You can check at Black-Tactical shop at Funan IT Mall, they have similar types of aftermarket foam available which can also be used to customize foam darts.

      Delete
  84. Good blog - lots of good info in here.

    Fairly cheap Chinese darts are available on eBay. Most of them are coming in at 6.6 cm, rather than the standard Streamline/Elite lengths of 7.3 cm. Have you had any experience customizing the shorter Chinese darts? Any suggestions on modding them to add the additional .7 cm so they'll work in clip blasters?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      Shorter length foam darts can still work in stock breech systems (ie. the original bolts in stock blasters), but theoretically the shorter the length of foam, the less contact area it has to seal in the bolt, so in some cases it can result in reduced performance.

      Note that the shorter 3rd-party foam darts from online sellers vary in diameters and quality, so it really depends on which seller you get them from. Production batches can also differ in quality too... i have experienced the same brand of foam darts with varying diameters in the same pack. So i guess it just depends on luck. :)

      Delete
  85. Hey SG Nerf,

    Since FBR comes solid, what is your preferred method of weighting? Soft foam padding + a layer of hot glue + FBR?
    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous,

      I've been using custom made silicone tips since 2011, so that's my preferred method at the moment.

      Soft foam padding + hot glue + FBR can work too, you'll just need to adjust the combination so that the tip weight and balance is ideal.

      Delete